Dear Catherine,
 
I have read your e-mail about your ferret eating a nicorette gum.  I
wouden't be too worried, as the gum releases the nicotene only slowly when
chewing.  Ferrets have a short intestinal tract and so a fast passage time.
I don't think a lot of the drug will or can be set free.
 
There is the risk of occlusion of the gastrointestinal tract by the gum.
Foreign bodies like foam rubber and chewing gum are a great danger for
ferrets.  The objects can't be seen with x-ray examination, or palpate the
abdomen.
 
Check if your ferret uses the litter box normaly.  If not, seek medical
treatment very fast.--
 
Best wishes,  Urs
 
Urs P. Murbach  Swiss Fancy Ferret Society
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http://www.agri.ch/swissferret
[Posted in FML issue 1744]